Judge Belvin Perry sentenced Casey Anthony to the maximum for the four counts on which she was convicted in the murder case against her. HLN, FNC, CNN, and MSNBC carried the sentence hearing live.

NBC News produced a special coverage during the third hour of “Today.” ABC’s George Stephanopoulos anchored a special report for ABC News at 9:35amET, interrupting “Good Morning America” in the Central and Mountain time zones.

The early reporting showed a discrepancy of when she’ll be released, with ABC saying it could be next month and Fox News saying next summer. The decision is expected later today.

Prosecutor Jeff Ashton was not in court for the sentencing. He’s still in New York, and was to appear in studio on MSNBC with Chris Jansing in the 10amET hour. “He decided at the last moment not to join us,” said Jansing on air. Ashton was on “Fox & Friends” in the 6amET hour. Defense attorney Jose Baez was in court in Orlando, after returning from New York yesterday where he was interviewed by ABC’s Barbara Walters.

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